Bicycle or like vehicle.



' R0 MODEL.

PATENTED-FBB. 24, 1903.

O. L. TRAVIS; DEGD. A. E. TRAVIS, ADMIfiIsTBATRIx.

BICYCLE 0R LIKE VEHICLE.

' APPLICATION FILED DEC. 8, 1902.

i SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED FEB. 24, 1903.

C. L. TRAVIS, DEGD.

A. B. TRAVIS, ADMINISTRATRIX. BICYCLE OR LIKE VEHICLE.

no MODEL, APPLICATION nun no. a, 1902.

mars-sum 2,

WIII/l/M ANGIE E.- TRAVIS,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ADMINISTRATRIX OF CHARLES L. TRAVIS,DECEASED. I

BICYCLE OR LIKE VEHICLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 721,343, datedFebruary 24, 1 903.

Application filed December 8, 1902. Serial No. 134,368. (No model.) A

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that CHARLES L. TRAVIS, de ceased, late a resident ofSpringfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, didinvent certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycles or Like Vehicles,of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains to bicycles and like vehicles; and it consistsin novel features which will be hereinafter fully set forth, referencebeing had to the annexed drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a sideelevation of a bicycle having the improvement applied thereto; Fig. 2, alongitudinal sectional view of the telescopic brace; Fig. 3, a similarview, the line of section being at right angles to that of Fig. 2; andFig. 4, a perspective view showing various parts of the device detached.

The purpose of the present invention is to produce a yielding brace forbicycles and like vehicles and one which shall be applicable to variousparts thereof. The device is more especially intended for and ispeculiarly serviceable in or as a part of the rear brace interposedbetween a rigid front frame and a rear-wheel fork pivotally or flexiblyconnected with the front frame, where it serves to take up the shock andvibration incident to travel over rough or uneven surfaces and toprevent transmission thereof to the rider. The space available for sucha brace in bicycles of desirable or approved pattern and proportions islimited, yet unless the spring be of considerable length and quiteelastic it will be of little benefit. For this reason the brace in thepresent construction is made with a telescopic spring case or shellcomposed of two tubular members sliding one within the other with theirinner ends open and their outer ends closed, thus securing for thespring or springs a space equal in length to that of the two membersless the extent of their overlapping or telescoping. Experience hasdemonstrated that with actual working measurements and conditions alength of spring can thus be secured sufficient to insure an easy andelastic support for the rider. Such support is found adequate for verysmooth roads and for travel over slightly-rough surfaces; but if themachine be ridden over very rough and uneven surfaces the spring, ifhighly elastic, is liable to yield under the sudden and severe strainand pressure and permit the bottoming of the telescoping members or thecontact of the spring-coils, thus occasioning a shock to the rider. Toprevent this, the telescoping members have heretofore been made to fitair-tight one, within the other, and thus to confine a body ofair,-which being compressed by the telescoping of the memberssupplemented the spring and gave a constantly-increasing support for therider directly proportioned to the severity of the shock and theconsequent range of movement. It has been ascertained, however, thatwhere a continuous air-chamber is provided of a length equal orapproximately equal to that of the spring the compression of the air iscomparatively slight under any practicable range of movement of thetelescoping sections, and hence it is desirable to reduce the length ofthe air-chamber while maintaining thelength of the spring and range ofmovement. This may be accomplished in different ways, but is best doneby dividing the spring into two sections and interposing between them aclose-fitting piston, by which the air-space is separated into twochambers, The chambers are represented as of unequal length; but theactual air-space is approximately the same in both, though in both theserespects the proportions may be varied as found ex pedieut.

Referring now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the inventionwill be more specifically described.

A, Fig. 1, indicates a front frame, comprising a steering-fork head, apillar-post, and two connecting bars or members, as in the diamond framenow generally adopted.

B indicates a rear-wheel fork hinged or otherwise flexibly connected tothe front frame A at or near the pedal-shaft barrel, and C a braceextending from the rear portion of fork B to the upper rear portion offrame A, to both of which it is jointed or otherwise flexibly conectedin such manner as to permit a rising-and-falling motion of the rear forkand wheel independently of the front frame or of the front wheel andframe independently of the rear wheel and fork. The preferredc0nstruction of brace O is illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, uponreferring to which it will be seen to comprise an upper tube a, having ahead or cap I); a lower tube 0, carried byor forming an upwardprolongation or extension of a brace-fork d, which fork straddles therear wheel and is jointed or otherwise flexibly connected with therear-wheel fork; two springs e and f, placed end to end within thetelescoping tubes a and c, and a diaphragm or piston interposed betweenthe two springs and dividing the interior space of the telescopicair-chamber G into two distinct spaces. Tube a is of a diameter to fitand slide freely yet closely within tube 0 and advisably so closely thatby the application of oil, vaseline, or other good lubricant to theiropposing faces an air-tight joint may be produced and maintained. Theupper spring f is represented as formed of round wire and the lowerspring e as of rectangular wirea construction which, though notobligatory, is advantageous in practice. Springfis shown tapering andhas its upper end seated in a socket in head or cap 1), whereby it iskept concentric with the telescopic shell 0. Spring eis of a diameterenough smaller than the interior of tube 0 to permit its folds to bepressed close together without causing it to bind within the tube; butno unnecessary space is left, the intention being that when thuscollapsed or compressed the spring shall practically or very nearlyreach the walls of the tube. Being of wire rectangular in cross-section,it will be seen that spring e when collapsed or closely compressed makespractically a cylindrical tube, though it is not intended that absolutecontact of its folds shall take place in use. The separation or spacebetween the coils of spring 6 is greater than that between the coils ofspring f, the intention and practice being to make the aggregate spacebetween the coils of one spring equal to that of the spaces between thecoils of the other. So, too, it is the intention and practice to so proportion the wire of the two springs that there shall be a proportionateextent of compression of the, two under given load and that the coils ofone shall reach their nearest approximation simultaneously with those ofthe other. This relation is attained by careful test in the firstinstance, after which the springs are produced of uniform size,proportions, quality, and temper by the now common and unfailingmethods. Slight variations in the proportions are within the scope ofthe present invention. The space within the upper chamber of thetelescopic member is greater than that in the lower chamber, whichlatter is reduced in a manner presently to be explained. To bring themmore nearly to the same air-containing capacity and also to p eventlateral deflection of springf, a wooden stem D is provided, tapering tocorrespond to the taper of the spring f, which stem is placed centrallywithin the spring and sustained by means of a tubular stem E, which isscrewed or otherwise made fast to the threaded upper end of a plug F,the lower portion of which is reduced in diameter and also threaded, asseen in Figs. 2 and 4:. G indicates a metallic disk or washer encirclingthe smaller and bearing beneath the larger portion of plug F, and Hindicates a cupleather placed beneath and clamped against disk G by anut I. The skirt of the cupleather is turned downward, so that in risingit will not be spread outward by air-pressure, but on descending it willbe expanded by the air beneath it, which is compressed by the descent ofthe piston or diaphragm, the rise of tube 0, or both. Stems D E reducethe air-space above the diaphragm or piston, so that it is somewhat lessthan would be that below if the lower part of tube 0 were unoccupiedexcept by spring 6. It is, however, desirable that while the springseandfshall be long and elastic the lower air-chamber shall be short, andhence a thimble or cartridge J (preferably drawn up out of sheet metal)is introduced into tube 0 before spring e is placed therein. Thisthimble or cartridge has a closed upper end, its open lower end beingencircled by a flange g, and it may be filled with cork or other lightsubstance to exclude air. Its diameter is such as to just fill withoutbinding against the interior walls of spring e, and it rests upon thebottom of shell or tube 0, where it is centeredand held by spring 6,resting upon its flange, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Of course thethimble may be made of any other suitable material or materials. Byreferring to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be seen that by the introduction ofthe thimble J an annular space is formed just large enough to receiveand to permit free play of spring 6. Within this space a small quantityof soft oil (as sweet-oil, castor-oil, or the like) is introduced, sothat when spring 6 is compressed the oil shall be caused to rise to orslightly above the top of thimble J, thus compelling all the air belowthe piston or diaphragm to occupy the short space between said diaphragmand the top of the thimble or surface of the oil. With the proportionsrepresented in the drawings, which have been found quite satisfactory inpractical tests, the range of movement or of telescoping action of thetubes at and c is approximately three inches, and the distance betweenthe top of thimble J and the piston or diaphragm is approximately oneand a half inches when the parts are free from load. Suppose now thatthe telescopic section C be caused to shorten one inch and a half andthat the distance between diaphragm or piston G H I and thimble J bereduced to three-quarters of an inch, the oil in the base of tube 0being thereby raised to the top of the thimble. It will result that theair below the piston or diaphragm will be compressed into about one-halfits bulk, or to thirty pounds. A further shortening of the telescopicsection C three-quarters of an inch and of the lower air-space three-IIS eighths of an inch will again reduce the bulk of the air and doubleits compression, making it sixty pounds to the inch. A further shortening of the section 0 three-eighths of an inch will reduce the air-spacebelow the piston or diaphragm to three-sixteenths of an inch and doubleits compression, making it one hundred and twenty pounds to the inch,and so on, building up or multiplying the resistance in an increasingratio directly proportionate to the range of movement, which in turnmust always be'proportionate to the jar or shock to be absorbed or takenup. While this action is taking place in the lower chamber, the upperair-chamber is being reduced by the shortening of section 0, theapproach of the folds of spring f, and the filling of the upper part ofsaid spring by the stem D E, so that the rate of compression of the airin the upper chamber is more rapid than it would be if due only to theshortening of section C. The relation between springs e and f, thedimensions of the upper and lower air-chambers, and theproportionsgenerally may be varied as desired, so as to produce any requireddifferential'in the rate of compression of the springs or of the air, orboth. Either the up per or the lower spring may be removed and replacedby another of different dimensions, shape, or stiffness, a larger or asmaller stem D may be put in place, a greater or less quantity of oil orother liquid may be employed in the lower air-chamber andlikewise in theupper one, and in these several ways any de-' sired relation, andconsequently any proper relative action, of the parts may be readilyobtained.

To .exclude dust from the working parts i and to preclude the soiling ofthe riders clothing, a dust guard or shell L is advisably employed. Thismay be attached to a swell or enlargement of cap I) and is ordinarilyprovided with an indentation or contraction M at or near its lower end,which engaging beneath a collar K at the top of tube 0 precludesaccidental separation of the parts.

When the telescopic section 0 is extended to its full length, the air isat normal atmospheric pressure, and the shells fitting air-tight thequantity of air remains constant, though its bulk varies as the section0 shortens and lengthens.

The working of the device is extremely easy, uniform, and satisfactory,the springs carrying the weight of the rider and afford-- ing a veryelastic support, relieving both rider and machine of all jar, vibration,and concussion, and the air-cushion adapting itself,

promptly, certainly, and precisely to the duty of supplementing thesprings when an encounter with obstructions, ruts, or depressionsrenders such contribution necessary.

It is particularly to be noted that the riders weight is carriednormally by the springs, which afford the easiest possible support andpermit an ample range of movement, and that the air-cushion exerts nomaterial influence distribution or circulation of the lubricant l andconsequent sealing of the air-chamber.

It is possible, though not deemed desirable ordinarily, to omit thelower spring entirely, employing only an air-cushion or confinedair bodybelow the piston or diaphragm; but this involves an accuracy of fit anda perfection of seal that is difiicult to maintain in practice. Suchconstruction, however, is within the scope of the present invention,being the equivalent so far as it goes, but not the full equivalentthereof.

It will be observed that under this construction the upper and longerspring, which ordinarily responds more readily to and absorbs any-joltor jar given the wheels in passing over rough places, is itselfspring-supported, and, further, that the support combines both themetallic spring 6 and the short pneumatic cushion or spring produced bythe air confined and compressed in the space or chamber below piston G HI. The springfconsequently acts in the same manner, to all intents andpurposes, as did the spring of the device shown and described inLettersPatent of the United States granted and issued to Charles L.lravis July 21,1896, and numbered 564,319, while the yielding supportfor said spring and the rapidly-increasing,though constantly-elastic,support afforded by the short air-cushion and the lower spring precludeany abrupt stoppage of movement or any bottoming of the telescopiccushioning device as a whole.

Obviously certain features of the device may be used without others.Thus, forinstance, the cartridge or thimble J maybe omitted, the stem DE may be employed or not, as deemed desirable, and the shells ortelescoping tubular members a and 0 may be made to fit air-tight orotherwise, as preferred. In any event the spring f will itself beyieldingly supported and will give in the event of any sudden or severejolt, so that there can be no abrupt stoppage or bottoming of the partsof the cushion. The primary object of the invention is to insure thisyielding efiect only that a construction be adopted which shall confinethe air beneath it and give adequate support for the spring f, thedetails of construction may be varied as desired, and spring 6 may beused or omitted, as above indicated. Its use is desirable for thereason, among others, that if there should be leakage of air upward pastthe piston the piston &

might not return properly to its elevated position without the aid ofthe spring. Similarly the thimble and oil may be used in or omitted fromthe air-chamber, as found expedient in any given case.

As above indicated, the construction of the piston or diaphragm may bevaried, provided only it properly confine the air between it and theopposite end of the air chamber or cushion. In other words, it has to bea closefitting piston, either by reason of its completely filling thespace when in action and subject to pressure or because of its fittingso closely that the application of suitable lubricant shall cause it tomake a close or air-tight joint when moved toward the oppo site end ofthe air chamber or cushion or subject to pressure acting in thatdirection. The cup-leather construction is found to serve the purposemost satisfactorily, but is illustrated simply as a type ofclose-fitting piston or diaphragm. It is therefore to be understood thatthe term close-fitting as used in this specification and in the claimsmeans any piston which when moved in adirection to reduce or contractthe air chamber or cushion shall make a close or air-tight joint withthe tube or shell in which it moves.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is- 1. In a braceorsupport for bicycles and like vehicles, the combination of tubularshells arranged to telescope one within the other; springs inclosed insaid tubes and arranged to be compressed or to expand simultaneously;and a close-fitting piston interposed between the springs and supportingone of said springs.

52. In abrace orsupport for bicycles and like vehicles, the combinationof a pair of continuous tubular shells adapted to telescope one withinthe other and to form a closed airspace; and a close-fitting piston ordiaphragm disconnected from said shells and serving to divide theair-space into two compartments.

3. In a brace or support for-bicycles and like vehicles, the combinationof a pair of continuous tubular shells adapted to telescope one withinthe other; springs mounted within and extending from the closed ends ofthe tubes toward each other; and a close-fitting piston mounted betweenthe proximate ends of the two springs.

4. In a brace orsupport forbicycles and like vehicles, the combinationof a pair of continuous tubular shells adapted to telescope one withinthe other; springs mounted within and extending from the closed ends ofthe tubes toward each other, the lower one of said springs beingrelatively short; and a close-fitting piston mounted between the ends ofthe springs.

5. In a brace orsupport for bicycles and like vehicles, the combinationof a pair of tubular shells adapted to telescope one within the other;springs mounted within and extending from the closed ends of the tubestoward each other; and a close-fitting piston mounted between the endsof the springs, said piston comprising a tubular neck or stem E,provided with a threaded plug F extending from its lower end, a washerG, packing H, and base I.

6. In a brace for bicycles and like vehicles, the combination of twocontinuous telescoping tubular shells; a close-fitting piston ordiaphragm dividing the interior space of said shells into two chambers;two springs, one on either side of said piston or diaphragm; and a stemprojecting from the piston or diaphragm into one of the chambers toreduce the air-space therein.

7. In a brace for bicycles and like vehicles, the combination ofacontinuous inner tubular shell and a continuous outer tubular shellarranged to telescope one within the other; a piston or diaphragmdividing the interior of said shells into two air-chambers; two springslocated within the shells, one on either side of the piston ordiaphragm; and a thimble or cartridge extending from the end of one ofthe shells into the spring therein, to reduce the air-space and form anannular pocket for the spring.

8. In a brace for bicycles and like vehicles, the combination of twotelescoping tubular shells, each continuous from end to end; a piston ordiaphragm dividing the interior space of said shells into twoair-chambers; springs on opposite sides of said piston or diaphragmserving to retain the latter in position; and stems or bodies adapted toenter within the respective springs and to reduce the air-space withinthe two air-chambers, substantially as set forth.

9. In a brace or support for bicycles and like vehicles, the combinationof a pair of tubular shells arranged to telescope one within the other;a spring within said shells tending to force them apart or elongate thetelescoping device; and a confined-air cushion or support for saidspring.

10. In a brace or support for bicycles and like vehicles, thecombination of a pair of tubular shells adapted to telescope one withinthe other; a spring serving to elongate the telescopic structure formedby said shells; and an air-cushion beneath and forming a support forsaid spring.

11. In a brace or support for bicycles and like vehicles, thecombination of an upper tubular shell or member; a lower tubular shellor member telescoping with the first; a spring within the telescopicstructure formed by said shells; asupport within the lowershell ormember for said spring; and an air-cushion below said support; wherebythe spring is adapted to yield and permit the shortening of thetelescopic structure under relatively light jolts or concussion, and theair-cushion is adapted to support said spring and to yield to greaterjars or concussion.

12. In a. brace or support for bicycles and like vehicles, thecombination of a pair of tubular shells adapted to telescope one withinthe other; a spring within said shells tending to press them apartlongitudinally; and a confined-air chamber below said spring, affordinga support for the base upon which the spring rests, said chamber beingrelatively short as compared with the spring-chamber, wherebytheresistance of the airin said chamber is rapidly multiplied upon thedescent of the'spring-support.

13. In a brace or support for bicycles and like vehicles, thecombination of two tubular shells adapted to telescope one within theother; a spring within said shells tending to force the same apart oroutward relatively to each other; a base or support within said shellsfor the spring to rest upon; a confinedair cushion or chamber beneathsaid support, serving to yieldingly sustain the same; and a secondspring acting upon and tending normally to elevate said spring-support,and to supplement the resistanceoffered by the air confined within saidair-chamber.

14;. In 'a brace or supportfor bicycles and like vehicles, thecombination of a pair of tubular shells adapted to telescope one withinthe other; a spring contained within said shells and tending to forcethe same apart; a movable base or support for said spring fittingair-tight within one of said shells; and a second spring serving tosustain said spring-support, and to permit it to yield under heavystrain or pressure.

15. In a brace or support for bicycles and like vehicles, thecombination of a pair of tubular shells adapted to telescope one withinthe other; a spring within said shells tending to force themlongitudinally apart; a base or support within said shells for saidspring; an i air-chamber beneath said support, adapted to contain andconfine a body of air; and asecond spring acting upon and tending toelevate the support for the first spring, substantially as set forth.

16. In a brace or support for bicycles and like vehicles, thecombination of two tubular shells adapted to telescope one' within theother; a spring within said'shells tending to move the samelongitudinally apart; a support for said spring fitting air-tight withinone of the shells; and a second spring tending to elevate the supportfor the first spring, said springs being separate and distinct from eachother, whereby either spring may be changed at will for one of less orgreater stiffness or strength and thus any desired relation beestablished.

17. In a brace or support for bicycles and like vehicles, a telescopicmember provided with an elongating-spring and'an air-cushion 6o beneathand serving as a support for the spring.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

' ANGIE E. TRAVIS, Administratriac of the estate of Charles L.

Travis, deceased.

Witnesses:

O. W. HERRIOK, FRANK J. DEMOND.

